Thrill-Seeking Is an Overlooked Catalyst for Political Violence
New research pinpoints how the desire for excitement inspires support for violent extremism.
Extremism
'The Government Is Constructing a New Generation of ISIS'
A year after the liberation of Mosul, Iraq's boys find themselves in a series of dead ends.
PS Picks: The Conversation Around the Gun-Toting Christian Extremists of Ubisoft's 'Far Cry 5'
PS Picks is a selection of the best things that the magazine's staff and contributors are reading, watching, or otherwise paying attention to in the worlds of art, politics, and culture.
A Most Violent Year
This past year—2017—saw a surge in extremist violence, much of it related to white supremacist activity. But as the Women's March shows, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Is Toxic Masculinity Really on Its Way Out?
New data suggests the future of America is one of inclusivity. That doesn't mean we won't encounter speed bumps getting there.
Why Are Extremist Groups Targeting Sufi Muslims?
The terrorist attack on a mosque in Egypt was potentially motivated by extremist groups viewing Sufi religious practices as a threat to their intolerant worldview.
The Paradox of Purpose and Its Relationship to Extremism
What happens when achieving your purpose comes at the expense of someone else?
How to Radicalize a Young American Muslim
Discrimination and isolation can send troubled immigrants on a search for personal significance, which can lead them to radical groups.
What Motivates Extreme Self-Sacrifice?
New work in the field of anthropology says violent extremism isn't really motivated by religion—but by fusion with the group.
Violent Extremism Isn't Really Motivated by Religion
An early look at a Pacific Standard story that's currently only available to subscribers.
Who's to Blame for the Rise of Hate Groups?
A new report reveals that right-wing extremism is on the rise in the U.S., with no thanks to Trump.
Our Double Standard on Religious Violence
After Paris, Colorado Springs, and San Bernardino, can the American public come to grips with the skewed nature of our fear of terrorism?
Right-Wing Extremism Kills More Americans Than Islamic Terrorism. So Why Aren’t We More Afraid of It?
The psychology, and scope, of irrational fears.
Your Research-Based Guide to American White Supremacist Movements
Hate groups provide violent ideologies for terrorists who have killed dozens of Americans over the last 14 years.
How France—and Weak Sentencing Guidelines—Let the Charlie Hebdo Killers Go Free
"Terrorists are treated like common criminals when it comes to sentencing, even if they are repeat offenders."
Yes, Extremists Can Get Elected President
It will be hard for someone like Ted Cruz to earn his party's nomination. But if he does, he'll have a decent chance at winning the White House.
Why Female Extremists Perplex Us
What makes women join the Islamic State? It's a complicated question that challenges our notion of feminism, culture, and religion, but it's crucial if we are going to defeat ISIS.
Our Approach to Countering Violent Extremism Must Prioritize Women
Defeating groups like ISIS and Boko Haram increasingly relies on women. Not only are women playing a greater role in these organizations, but they are also playing a greater role in stopping them. And until the United States matches its rhetoric on prioritizing women in the fight against violent extremism with action, we won't fully eliminate this kind of terrorism.
When Culture’s Soft Power Confronts Hard Limits
Music- and art-based outreach programs have been successful in combating extremism in cities like Minneapolis, but they're facing a roadblock. Stringent visa standards from the State Department are blocking many foreign artists from entering the country, and harming communities that need these programs the most.
Study: Political Extremists Are the Least Likely to Doubt Their Views
New research finds those who hold the most extreme views on hot-button issues are also the most convinced of the superiority of those beliefs.
Tarring Opponents as Extremists Really Can Work
Political scientists have determined that labeling supporters of stands that otherwise might be unassailable can have a sleazy efficacy, although not everyone falls for tactic.
The Potential Militant Extremist Inside Each of Us
The fanatical thinking that leads to militant extremism is a seductive narrative that may have a surprisingly widespread low-level resonance in the general population, finds one study.